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Collin s head popped back into the room. What? Ask you what?
Embarrassment singed Mikey s cheeks. Oh.
What does oh mean? Collin asked, laughing. You look like
you just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar. What is wrong?
Other than being severely misinformed, nothing. Mikey ran a
hand over his face. He d panicked for nothing. There was still plenty
of time. Adam thought you were going to ask me to marry you, so I
got all worked up. He laughed at himself, feeling foolish. This is
what I get by getting my info from my seven-year-old.
Collin came fully out the bathroom and then wrapped his arms
around his waist from behind. I love you, Mikey, he murmured,
rubbing his face on his shoulder blades. When I ask you, you won t
have any doubts. Promise.
Everything in Mikey relaxed. Thank you for being amazing,
Collin.
Likewise, bull. Likewise.
120 Jana Downs
Chapter Ten
The three-mile walk around town during the march left Collin
feeling hungry and cold but also completely satisfied. The media had
been full out in downtown ATL, and the booth where the petition for
the shifter summer camp was being held had been packed when
they d passed it as well. Good signs.
Man, that was a lot of fun! Orion declared. Didja see those
naked guys dancin on the bridge? Hot!
Watch your mouth, Orion, Logan warned. Or else I m gonna
tell your mate exactly what you were ogling.
Orion visibly winced and fell silent, fishing his phone from his
pocket. He was probably telling on himself to head Logan off at the
pass.
Of course they weren t mated, but that didn t stop Orion from
maintaining a friendship with his future mate. Their relationship was
odd to say the least and not something that Collin easily understood,
but that was their deal. At least he didn t have to do the same thing
with Adam. He couldn t imagine Des or Mikey dealing well with it.
I m freezing to death, Jude declared, shivering under his puffy
black coat.
Logan wrapped an arm around his mate s shoulders. We re
almost there, darlin . No worries.
They were heading to the Twisted Sister pub and eatery for a little
after-march celebration. It would be a few days before congress made
their decision on the shifter bill, but he felt they had made some
progress.
Thrice Bitten 121
Everything had gone off without a hitch in all cities except for
Raleigh, North Carolina. There had been some kind of disruption
there, but everyone was pretty vague on the details at the moment.
Collin looked forward to a tall drink and some food for what was
coming next. Their discussion earlier in the week about marriage had
really got him thinking. Mikey was so overly cautious that he
continued to hold back in the I love you department. So Collin
wanted to give him a big gesture to show him that he was in this not
just because they were mates but because he wanted and loved Mikey
as a person, just like he wanted.
So he d called up his friends and made arrangements to make
today the first day of the rest of their very entwined life.
Evan bumped his shoulders and shot him a wink as Collin
fumbled with the box in his pocket for perhaps the millionth time.
Collin gave him a shaky grin in return before turning his attention to
Mikey. Despite the cold and the soreness of his knee, he appeared in
good spirits.
Maybe now the administration will do as it was supposed to from
the beginning, Mikey said, stretching his arms over his head as they
crossed the finishing point in their march. I ll probably get a phone
call from the higher ups for that booth, but that s all right. At least I
got out of the speech.
Collin smiled up at him. You re definitely my hero, bull. His
loyalty, his conviction, those were the qualities that Collin admired
most about his lover.
Aw, shucks, Mikey teased. Do I get a hero s reward?
There was heat in that question that sent a shiver of want down
Collin s spine. Soon enough. You know it.
There is the pub, Brandon declared, his leather jacket creaking
as he raised his hand to point. The man was intimidating as hell when
he got all gussied up in his leather and black outfits. He looked more
like a funeral director than a protestor, the only thing saving the image
122 Jana Downs
being the rainbow flag patch sewn on the back in the place of a biker
house.
Thank God, Evan added, his voice just a decimal above a
whine. I m starving.
They moved en masse toward the pub. The sturdy wooden
structure faced the corner of the intersection but somehow managed to
have an old-world feel despite the very urban surroundings. When
they reached the hostess just inside the door, Collin was the one who
stepped forward.
We have reservations for a party, he said, smiling through his
nerves.
She smiled back at him, her professional air perfect. Mr. Green?
Yes.
Come right this way. We ve got everything set up in our private
room upstairs. She led them toward a narrow staircase that had to
have been there since the place was built.
I didn t know you called ahead, Mikey said, shooting him a
questioning look.
Collin chose not to address his question, so he gave a
noncommittal shrug instead. The reason would become clear soon
enough.
They arrived on the top landing that opened out into another larger
room with a single long table at the center already set up for them.
The bar at the far wall was unoccupied despite the multiple buckets of
champagne in regular intervals along the table. The TV above the bar
showed CNN s coverage of the march, but it was turned down low
enough not to be disturbing in the least bit.
Your server s name is Kendal. He ll be with you in just a few
minutes, the hostess said before turning around and heading back the
way she came.
Collin took a deep breath as everyone approached the table and
took their seats. It was almost time. One of the doors toward the back
Thrice Bitten 123
opened and in stepped Desmin and Adam, both considerably less
bundled than they were.
What are you doing here? Mikey asked, his mouth marred by a
deep frown. He opened his arms as Adam threw himself at him. He
caught his son and pressed a kiss on his head before shooting a
question look at Desmin.
Des shrugged, grinning like a Cheshire cat. Your mate asked me
here. He wanted Adam and me to be here.
For the rally?
No, Collin interrupted. Uh, everyone take a seat please. He
swallowed as his stomach flip flopped. Damn, he was nervous.
Collin?
I know we haven t known one another a long time, but I already
know that I love you more than anything. His eyes flicked to
Mikey s son. Well, except for maybe Adam. The little boy grinned.
And I know mating means forever, but I also know that the human
legalities mean something to you as well. He went to his knees, and
Mikey sucked in a breath, paling considerably.
I would be very honored if you would do me the privilege of
being my husband. He somehow managed to extract the ring box
from his pocket without falling over and then opened it up.
The bands he d bought were simple but elegant, titanium with a
single diamond placed in the center of each. He d had them engraved
with Third Time s a Charm. He just hoped that Mikey liked it.
His towering mate looked like he was about to hyperventilate,
shaking so hard that the tremor looked like a seizure or something.
Where was my warning? Mikey blurted, his voice guttural with
emotion.
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